Portage Learning Microbiology Exam 6 – Exam Prep &
Study Guide | 2026 | Graded A+
1. Describe how airborne transmission occurs for viruses like measles, mumps, and
rubella.
Airborne transmission occurs primarily through sexual contact.
Airborne transmission occurs when respiratory droplets containing the virus
are released into the air through coughing or sneezing and are inhaled by others.
Airborne transmission occurs when food contaminated with the virus is
ingested.
Airborne transmission occurs through direct contact with infected surfaces.
2. Which of the following is TRUE?
Bacteriophage do not assemble inside the host cell, whereas animal viruses do
Bacteriophage and animal viruses use different types of nucleic acids as genetic
information
Bacteriophage inject their nucleic acid into host cells, whereas an animal virus
releases it inside the host cell during uncoating
Bacteriophage attack bacteria non-specifically, whereas animal viruses attack
specific cell types
3. Describe the relationship between German measles and conjunctivitis.
German measles can cause conjunctivitis as a secondary symptom.
German measles is caused by conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis is unrelated to German measles.
, Conjunctivitis is a primary symptom of German measles.
4. Describe the significance of viral envelopes in relation to the types of cells viruses
infect.
Viral envelopes are irrelevant to the infection process of any virus.
Viral envelopes are significant for plant viruses as they aid in cell wall
penetration.
Viral envelopes are significant because they are primarily found in animal
viruses, which helps them to infect animal cells more effectively.
Viral envelopes are only found in bacterial viruses and are crucial for their
replication.
5. How do temperate phages differ in their interaction with host cells compared to
lytic phages?
Temperate phages do not interact with host cells at all.
Temperate phages replicate faster than lytic phages.
Temperate phages always kill the host cell immediately after infection.
Temperate phages can integrate into the host genome without killing the
host cell.
6. If a new virus is discovered that has a 20-sided polygon capsid and primarily infects
bacteria, what classification would it fall under, and what implications might this
have for bacterial infections?
It would be classified as a retrovirus, which is used in gene therapy.
It would be classified as a temperate phage, which does not cause immediate
bacterial cell death.
, It would be classified as a bacteriophage, which could be used in phage therapy to
target bacterial infections.
It would be classified as a lentivirus, which primarily affects human immune
cells.
7. At what age is shingles most commonly diagnosed?
Greater than 60 years of age
Under 18 years of age
30-40 years of age
18-22 years of age
8. Describe the period during which a Rubella-infected patient can transmit the virus
to others.
A Rubella-infected patient can transmit the virus one week before and one
week after the rash appears.
A Rubella-infected patient is only contagious when the rash is visible.
A Rubella-infected patient can transmit the virus only after the rash has
disappeared.
A Rubella-infected patient is contagious only during the first week of infection.
9. The HIV surface protein ______ binds to the _______ receptor on host cells.
gp120, gp41
gp41, CD8
gp120, CD8
gp41, CD4
, gp120,
CD4
10. What open reading frame of HIV encodes structural proteins p17 (matrix), p24
(capsid), and p7 (nucleocapsid)?
Env
Pol
Gag
11. Describe the relative sizes of Smallpox virus, Paramyxovirus, and Poliovirus in your
own words.
Smallpox virus is the largest, followed by Paramyxovirus, and Poliovirus is the
smallest.
Paramyxovirus is larger than Smallpox virus.
Poliovirus is larger than both Smallpox virus and Paramyxovirus.
All three viruses are of equal size.
12. Describe the significance of the viral protein p24 in the structure of HIV.
The viral protein p24 is responsible for the symptoms of HIV infection.
The viral protein p24 helps in the replication of HIV within the host cell.
The viral protein p24 is involved in the transmission of HIV between hosts.
The viral protein p24 is a key component of the HIV capsid, crucial for its
structural integrity.
13. What scientist developed the polio vaccine that was approved in 1955?
Louis Pasteur
Study Guide | 2026 | Graded A+
1. Describe how airborne transmission occurs for viruses like measles, mumps, and
rubella.
Airborne transmission occurs primarily through sexual contact.
Airborne transmission occurs when respiratory droplets containing the virus
are released into the air through coughing or sneezing and are inhaled by others.
Airborne transmission occurs when food contaminated with the virus is
ingested.
Airborne transmission occurs through direct contact with infected surfaces.
2. Which of the following is TRUE?
Bacteriophage do not assemble inside the host cell, whereas animal viruses do
Bacteriophage and animal viruses use different types of nucleic acids as genetic
information
Bacteriophage inject their nucleic acid into host cells, whereas an animal virus
releases it inside the host cell during uncoating
Bacteriophage attack bacteria non-specifically, whereas animal viruses attack
specific cell types
3. Describe the relationship between German measles and conjunctivitis.
German measles can cause conjunctivitis as a secondary symptom.
German measles is caused by conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis is unrelated to German measles.
, Conjunctivitis is a primary symptom of German measles.
4. Describe the significance of viral envelopes in relation to the types of cells viruses
infect.
Viral envelopes are irrelevant to the infection process of any virus.
Viral envelopes are significant for plant viruses as they aid in cell wall
penetration.
Viral envelopes are significant because they are primarily found in animal
viruses, which helps them to infect animal cells more effectively.
Viral envelopes are only found in bacterial viruses and are crucial for their
replication.
5. How do temperate phages differ in their interaction with host cells compared to
lytic phages?
Temperate phages do not interact with host cells at all.
Temperate phages replicate faster than lytic phages.
Temperate phages always kill the host cell immediately after infection.
Temperate phages can integrate into the host genome without killing the
host cell.
6. If a new virus is discovered that has a 20-sided polygon capsid and primarily infects
bacteria, what classification would it fall under, and what implications might this
have for bacterial infections?
It would be classified as a retrovirus, which is used in gene therapy.
It would be classified as a temperate phage, which does not cause immediate
bacterial cell death.
, It would be classified as a bacteriophage, which could be used in phage therapy to
target bacterial infections.
It would be classified as a lentivirus, which primarily affects human immune
cells.
7. At what age is shingles most commonly diagnosed?
Greater than 60 years of age
Under 18 years of age
30-40 years of age
18-22 years of age
8. Describe the period during which a Rubella-infected patient can transmit the virus
to others.
A Rubella-infected patient can transmit the virus one week before and one
week after the rash appears.
A Rubella-infected patient is only contagious when the rash is visible.
A Rubella-infected patient can transmit the virus only after the rash has
disappeared.
A Rubella-infected patient is contagious only during the first week of infection.
9. The HIV surface protein ______ binds to the _______ receptor on host cells.
gp120, gp41
gp41, CD8
gp120, CD8
gp41, CD4
, gp120,
CD4
10. What open reading frame of HIV encodes structural proteins p17 (matrix), p24
(capsid), and p7 (nucleocapsid)?
Env
Pol
Gag
11. Describe the relative sizes of Smallpox virus, Paramyxovirus, and Poliovirus in your
own words.
Smallpox virus is the largest, followed by Paramyxovirus, and Poliovirus is the
smallest.
Paramyxovirus is larger than Smallpox virus.
Poliovirus is larger than both Smallpox virus and Paramyxovirus.
All three viruses are of equal size.
12. Describe the significance of the viral protein p24 in the structure of HIV.
The viral protein p24 is responsible for the symptoms of HIV infection.
The viral protein p24 helps in the replication of HIV within the host cell.
The viral protein p24 is involved in the transmission of HIV between hosts.
The viral protein p24 is a key component of the HIV capsid, crucial for its
structural integrity.
13. What scientist developed the polio vaccine that was approved in 1955?
Louis Pasteur
